Second round consultation event on crossing plans set which could affect Bacton, Gislingham and Mellis

Zach Ward

A further round of consultation events have been scheduled by Network Rail on their plans to close or change 31 level crossings in Suffolk.

Initial consultation events were held in June. Network Rail say none of the crossings in the proposal include closing public A or B roads, and would help make the railway safer. Among the level crossings that could be affected in the Diss Express area include Gooderhams and Fords Green in Bacton, Bacton footpath, Gislingham footpath, Paynes footpath in Gislingham, and Cow Pasture Lane, Rectory Road footpath, Beecroft, Mellis and Abbotts footpath, all Mellis.

Steggalls and Finningham, which were part of the round one consultation, have since been legally closed under S118A of the Highway’s act 1980, and have been removed from the project.

Richard Schofield, Network Rail’s route managing director for Anglia, said: “The initial consultations were very successful and we gathered a lot of useful feedback. I’d encourage anyone interested to come along to see the updated proposals and share any concerns or ideas with us, before we put these forward under Transport and Works Act Orders early next year. The proposals include small changes to how people cross the railway and the closures will help us reduce the risks that level crossings pose, improve safety and reliability of the railway for the future.”

The event will take place at Bacton Village Hall on September 16, from 2pm to 7pm.

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